Whats is killing the local hobby stores?

[jack01]

It's a very complex answer, but I work at a hobby shop. I'll explain the issue as briefly as I can.

Plain and simple, the internet is killing most local hobby shops. Here's why:

- The internet has made online mail ordering incredibly simple. You can order online at all hours of the day or night. Just a few keystrokes and your stuff is on its way. Mail order places have been around forever, but you used to have to call and talk to someone during the day.

- The ability to order online has caused a boom in both the amount of mail order companies, and the viability of those companies. They no longer need a small army of people manning the telephones and typing in orders. That equates to a lower cost to run the business, and thus lower prices. That also helps drive up business further.

- The internet is a HUGE resource of knowledge. It used to be that if you had a big question that needed to be answered, you would call your local flying field guru, or call the LHS and talk to them. Nowadays, one knowledgeable person can make a post online, and thousands of people can read it. It is now much easier to find the answer to a particular question than it has been in the past.

- The internet has made advertising much easier and more effective. The company updates their website, makes a post or two on a forum, and thousands know about it before lunchtime. It used to be that new releases were advertised in the shop and in magazines. If you wanted to know about the new engine on the market, you either waited for the AMA magazine, or you stopped by the LHS on the way home from work.

- I'm not going to mention any specific companies, but there are many companies that sell to both the consumer and the retailer. Some of those companies seem like they actually like doing business with retailers, while others seem like they would rather see us go out of business. The bad ones undercut our prices almost every chance they get. As both a retailer and a distributor and/or manufacturer, they are still turning a profit even if they sell a certain item for my cost. When I have to sell a $300 item for $20 over cost just to be halfway competitive, it gets very hard to stay in business.

- With the increasing popularity of mail order stuff, shipping VS sales tax gets to be a huge issue. Tennessee has a 9.25 percent sales tax! Since shipping is usually around $10, anything over $100 is now cheaper to order online. Many places offer free shipping on orders of $150 or more, so those online deals get REALLY hard to pass up. My friends in north Mississippi do mail order from the shop all the time. Reason being, they avoid the sales tax, and with it being so close, they have their stuff the next day anyway.

[DEAD STICK!!]

I would like to add that i like going to my LHS every time they are open.

I think another problem is that the LHS has to buy the item outright in order put it in stock. If
that item does not sell, they are out that money and not able to buy other stock.

[flyin4fun]

I guess I could be one of the VERY lucky few.
I live 9 miles from our club field, and I can WALK to our local hobby shop from the club field, (500 yards).
Most of the guys at our club buy from the local hobby shop, if they don't have something in stock, some get the LHS to order it, and some shop online if the items they need are out of stock.
I mostly buy from the LHS, simply because I "LOVE" having the LHS next door to our club field, and I want to give them MY hard earned cash, and most guys in our club feel the same way.
Especially since our LHS is VERY WELL stocked.

[T. Bob]

People behind the counter!

Oh wait

What are the people behind the counter?

I got it!!!

What do I win????

[RCFlyguyVA]

I think all of the above and then some on reasons why some hobby stores are having hard times. Let's face it with the economy they way it is now it really doesn't help. However, the bottom line is if a hobby shop owner is turning a profit to cover overhead, maintain a roof over his head, feed his family, and have enough free time to themselves for fun. To me, particularly now in this hobby, there are soooo many choices out there and since the intro of ARFs into the hobby where you do not have to be so much of a builder it's basically a sign of the times along with internet. Guys, ask yourself, over Christmas how many of you actually still shop in stores. Personally, I would say I do most of my Christmas shopping 75%+ on the internet.
It's a shame really becuase we just had a hobby shop close in our area as well. I miss them but I could also tell the writing was on the wall before they hung the sign "goin outta business sale".

My 2 cents,
RCFlyguyVA
Tom

[VooDoo Child]

LHS that i have gone to in the past only stock Hanger 9 and E-Flight stuff....how boring.We have a place that is huge and has alot of great stuff if you can find it or reach it,god for bid you need help,there have been times that i wait 20 min while the counter guy and a guy from his field BS about BS,after leaving on three occasions,i will never go back.

[flyin4fun]

BS ? what BS? too much in a hurry , HUH?
What you call "BS". I call " hobbyshop fellowship".
I love to hang out in the "hobbyshop", especially in the winter months when mother nature makes it too nasty to fly, (for very long, anyway)
I enjoy chatting (or should I say BS ing) with friends (in the hobbyshop) and maybe make a few more friends along the way.

[VooDoo Child]

Well i guess i need you as a life coach,you seem to always think you know how life should work and people should act.

[flyin4fun]

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....life coach....nope, not me.......it's just that some people should slow down....enjoy life....maybe , even smell the roses.

[VooDoo Child]

The thread starter was looking for input,thats my input,sorry if you dont like it.I can only take so much of the same guys that start problems at the field that only static display anyway,then go to the LHS and the same guys are BS,ing and not buying.If after 10 min or more somebody cant excuse themselves for two seconds and ask me if i need help,i will go home and help myself by ordering online...Simple.You can have your slow pace life and i will have my fast pace life.

[flyin4fun]

	Quote: Originally Posted by VooDoo Child
	The thread starter was looking for input,not your view on the human race.

Agreed....sorry for getting off track.

[planestiffi]

Look at it this way if your job required you to give customer service and customers to come into your place of business but chose to go online instead you would be without a job just remember these are people that work hard for a living and are at the shop more than the field there wouldnt be a place to go and complain about the club members that complain about the gs 3d guys at the local field

[flyin4fun]

Check out our LHS. Flying field and RC car track , all within 500 yards of the hobby shop.
www.xtremerchobby.com
It is a GREAT place for "RC fellowship".
Plenty of items "IN" stock.
Plenty of good advise on hand. (hobbyshop staff and customers)

[rede2fly]

the only hobby shop near me that knows anything about the planes i fly is 100 miles away.(one way) and then the worst thing about them is they are closed on the weekends make sense to you?? it dosent to me. and they have everything instock. i have to work for a living, so weekdays are out. so the local shops cater to cars,e-flight. and trains. and even then if you ask them a question they havent a clue as to what is going on in our world. meaning giant scale. hell half the time they want to argue with you saying it they dont make anything like that. and then i hold my tongue. more like bite it. its just plane more easy to order off line. but if a shop was around with the stuff i was looking for i would support them. iam a impluse buyer and if its in front of me i will take it home. but if i get a chanceto think about it, i will talk myself out of buying it (sometimes) when i lived in ft lauderdale i ,we my friends used to love going hobby shopping on a rainy day. from ft lauderdale to miami. hell we knew everyone. hey voodoo ill be your life coach dude. give em hell and keep on doing what you are doing IT WORKS. bottom line to your question is the local hobby shop is killing themselfs

[3D Meatshield]

	Quote: Originally Posted by flyin4fun
	BS ? what BS? too much in a hurry , HUH? What you call "BS". I call " hobbyshop fellowship". I love to hang out in the "hobbyshop", especially in the winter months when mother nature makes it too nasty to fly, (for very long, anyway) I enjoy chatting (or should I say BS ing) with friends (in the hobbyshop) and maybe make a few more friends along the way.

Thats all well and good, but not everyone goes to the lhs to be a chatty cathy. If I go in and I need help to find something or get it from behind the counter, i certainly dont want to wait 20 minutes for two assclowns to play NTSB over a crash from 3 years ago while I wait.

Fellowship at the lhs is fine- the glow guy I buy from, I actually buy from because I like to chat with him. But, if a customer walks in, the conversation gets put on hold. Its common courtesy, and if you are behind the counter you better have some, or else you wont be getting many customers for very long- youll be stuck with your BSing buddies, and their idle chit-chat doesn't pay the bills.